Comments on Cop in the Hood: Police Helicopters Cramp My Style

When I was a cop, we didn't have a helicopter ...

2011-11-29T05:59:56.264-05:00

When I was a cop, we didn't have a helicopter (it had crashed a few years earlier), so hard for me to say. But somehow, we all managed to police just fine.

Yeah, some people did get away after a foot pursuit. As a rule, we wouldn't chase people through a vacant in case we'd fall through the floor. Unfortunate, but so what? They'd be hanging out on the same corner the next night.

But what I really find amazing is how obnoxious an anonymous poster can get over a 2-year-old post about a friggin' helicopter. Get some perspective. Get some manners. And while you're at it, try to keep your home life from falling apart. I bet they don't understand you, either.

You people are idiots. Another example of not see...

2011-11-29T00:36:33.372-05:00

You people are idiots. Another example of not seeing the forest through the trees. And Moskos...you take the prize. When you were employed by the Baltimore Police ( I say employed, because you OBVIOUSLY weren't a cop), you never got to realize the value of a police helicopter. As a street cop, when I wanted a helicopter, I wanted in NOW...not in 20 minutes. In 3 or 4 minutes, the incident is over and the suspect possibly got away. Keep writing trash...it's fodder for the masses.

I can't believe the good people of Hollywood a...

2009-08-29T14:31:04.013-04:00

I can't believe the good people of Hollywood aren't more up in arms about this. Or investing in anti-aircraft guns. It's crazy.

I found this article because I was specifically tr...

2009-08-29T03:05:08.542-04:00

I found this article because I was specifically trying to see if anyone was writing about this on the web. The helicopter noise has gotten SO bad in Hollywood that I'm considering investing in soundproofing.

Sure, these things can be great for apprehending those in speeding cars, but what is the purpose, short of a nuclear meltdown, for them to circle for sometimes an HOUR and a HALF at a time, WELL past 2am??? There is absolutely no reason for this. And with the recent crash in New York with the commuter plane, consider the CONSTANT traffic of copters (LAPD, CHP, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and tour helicopters before we even get into the ones we cant identify) its only a matter of time before it happens here in Hollywood. You guys need to find another solution and knock the bloody noise off!!!

That's great! And I here in New York find the soun...

2009-04-01T17:35:00.000-04:00

That's great! And I here in New York find the sound of the elevated subway train strangely soothing.

I think when it comes to the helicopter, police also have to take into account how much fear it helps bring out in ordinary citizens.

Let me tell you, I did not feel safer with that baby circling above.

The funny thing is, after a while you get used to ...

2009-04-01T15:46:00.000-04:00

The funny thing is, after a while you get used to it. In fact, after a few years of living in LA I left town for a while and couldn't sleep. I could never put my finger on the problem till I landed at Burbank Airport. I heard the familiar sound of a helo circling somewhere overhead and knew I was home. Slept like a baby that night

I think at night, only if a life is at stake.

2009-04-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

I think at night, only if a life is at stake.

So, helicopters should not be used? I understand a...

2009-04-01T11:11:00.000-04:00

So, helicopters should not be used? I understand about being awakened by helicopter at 3 in the morning. It has happened to me and it sucks. But the use of the helicopter is a great tool in the police officers bag of tricks. When a crime does happen and the officer does chase the criminal the helicopter is a remarkable tool. Especially if the is a car chase involve. See http://jeffmarshall.org/papers/Capstone_Project.pdf
Yes, the police should focus their efforts on preventing crime, but you and I both know the police cannot be everyone. Sure, upper management would like for their officers to give that feeling that the police are all over the place. Management wants the public and criminals to experience that so crimes do not occur. What I am say is that when a crime does happen, police officers need to have as many tools necessary that can be used to apprehend the criminal. If, one instrument is having a helicopter flying over your head at 3 in the morning then, I am sorry for that, but I think we still must consider public safety at the same time.